49ers Set to Host 2026 NFL Game in Mexico City, Draft Season Heats Up, and Mac Jones Trade Buzz Grows
The NFL is heading back to Mexico City in 2026, and this time, it’s the San Francisco 49ers taking center stage. According to reports, the Niners will serve as the designated home team for a regular-season matchup at Estadio Banorte-formerly known as Estadio Azteca. The opponent hasn’t been revealed just yet, but what’s clear is that the league’s international series continues to expand its footprint, and San Francisco is now officially part of that global push.
Estadio Banorte has long been a landmark for international NFL games, offering a massive and passionate fan base south of the border. For the 49ers, it’s a unique opportunity to showcase their brand on a global stage, and for fans, it’s a chance to see one of the NFL’s most storied franchises in a setting unlike any other. While we wait to see who they’ll face, one thing’s for sure: this game will carry weight, both on the field and in the league’s broader international ambitions.
Draft Season Spotlight: Three Prospects Turning Heads Early
With the NFL Combine approaching and draft boards beginning to take shape, a few names are already generating buzz among scouts and analysts. Let’s break down three prospects whose stock is trending up-and why they’re worth keeping a close eye on.
Ahmad Moten Sr., DT, Miami
If you’re a fan of trench warfare-and let’s be honest, real football starts in the trenches-then Ahmad Moten Sr. is your kind of prospect. The Miami defensive tackle brings a level of physicality that jumps off the tape.
His hand usage is violent, disruptive, and relentless. He’s not just eating blocks-he’s shedding them with authority.
Moten’s ability to anchor against the run is already well-established, but what’s turning heads is his surprisingly quick first step for a man his size. He’s not just a space-eater; he can collapse the pocket with a bull rush that demands attention. He’s the kind of interior presence who can anchor a run defense while offering just enough juice on passing downs to stay on the field.
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Ohio State continues to churn out NFL-caliber wideouts, and Carnell Tate looks like the next one up. Don’t get caught up in the “WR2” label-Tate is a technician with No. 1 upside. He’s sudden in and out of breaks, doesn’t tip his routes, and plays with a maturity that’s rare for a college receiver.
What separates Tate is how cleanly he runs routes. In an era where wideouts often rely on flashy footwork and exaggerated movements, Tate keeps things crisp and efficient.
His shoulders stay level, his cuts are sharp, and his pace is deceptive. He’s not just a highlight reel waiting to happen-he’s a chain-mover with elite separation skills.
Noah Thomas, WR, Georgia
Noah Thomas might not be a household name yet, but don’t be surprised if that changes soon. The Georgia wideout has flashed enough big-play ability to warrant serious intrigue. He’s got the speed to stretch the field and the frame to win contested catches downfield.
While the sample size is small, what Thomas has shown suggests he can be a vertical threat at the next level. He’s raw, sure-but the tools are there. If he continues to develop, he could be one of those Day 2 steals that makes GMs look like geniuses.
Mac Jones Trade Rumors: Falcons a Logical Fit?
The Mac Jones trade rumors are heating up again, and one team that keeps popping up is the Atlanta Falcons. Former NFL lineman and current analyst Brian Baldinger floated the idea this week, suggesting that Atlanta-now led by former MVP Matt Ryan in a front office role-could see Jones as a natural fit.
Baldinger pointed to similarities between Ryan and Jones, both stylistically and in terms of how they operate within a structured offense. If Atlanta is looking for a quarterback who can execute with precision and timing, Jones could check a lot of boxes.
The trade value? That’s where things get interesting.
Baldinger believes a second-round pick could be enough to get a deal done, and from the 49ers’ perspective, that might be a price worth considering. With Brock Purdy entrenched as the starter, San Francisco could look to sign a veteran backup-names like Kirk Cousins or Geno Smith were mentioned as possible fits, particularly given Kyle Shanahan’s history with Cousins.
But if no suitable trade offer materializes, there’s also the option of extending Jones and solidifying the quarterback room. Stability at the position is something every contender craves, and the 49ers may ultimately decide that keeping Jones in-house is the best insurance policy behind Purdy.
Between a marquee international game, rising draft prospects, and quarterback rumors swirling, the 49ers are right in the thick of the NFL’s offseason storylines. And with each development, they’re shaping not just their own future-but the broader landscape of the league heading into 2026.